On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration announced the formation of an international alliance titled “Pax Silica” aimed at countering China’s dominance in rare earth elements and boosting artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
The alliance seeks to build supply chains independent of China, particularly in semiconductors and rare materials critical to technology.
The announcement is part of a broader strategy for what’s being called “technological peace,” focusing on reducing reliance on China in sensitive sectors. It coincides with Trump’s recent statements emphasizing technological independence.
According to the U.S. State Department, the alliance includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the UAE, and Australia.
These countries, the department noted, are home to key companies and investors driving the global AI supply chain.
Jacob Helberg, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, stated that the initiative “paves the way for joint research and development, manufacturing, and infrastructure development to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.”
According to a report by Politico, this move comes in response to China’s near-total control over rare earth minerals, which are vital for both military and civilian applications, as well as its heavy investments in AI and quantum computing, giving it a competitive edge in the global economy.